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You are here: Home / Tech Questions & Answers / Q&A: Should I buy an ‘All-in-One’ computer or a regular desktop PC?

Q&A: Should I buy an ‘All-in-One’ computer or a regular desktop PC?

Posted on May 30, 2021

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Question from Wilma:  My 6 year old desktop computer died and I’m in the process of shopping for a new one.

I really like the look of some of the All-in-One computers that I’ve seen.

And I also like the idea of not having to deal with a tower box or a bunch of extra cables. I really don’t want a laptop!

I’d love to hear your honest opinion of All-in-One computers.

The upsides of buying one are obvious. Do you know of any downsides to be aware of when comparing them to regular desktop “tower” type computers?

Rick’s answer:  I do have a very strong opinion of All-in-One computers, Wilma. And to be honest, I’m not a fan.

While it’s true that All-in-One machines look great and take up less space, those are about the only things they have going for them.

There are several reasons why I will always choose regular desktop PC over an All-in-One:

1 – Like most laptops, All-in-One computers aren’t very upgradable.

Yes, you can upgrade the RAM and mass storage device(s) in some models, but you’re typically out of luck if you want to switch to a more powerful CPU or graphics card or upgrade to a larger or better monitor.

In a nutshell, All-in-Ones basically come with the same disadvantages that typically go with owning a laptop without being able to enjoy the advantage of a laptop’s portability.

2 – All-in-Ones are typically more difficult to repair than regular desktop PCs.

Virtually everything inside a traditional desktop PC can easily be swapped out for a suitable replacement if something goes belly-up on you.

The same can’t be said of most All-in-Ones.

3 – Since everything but the keyboard and mouse has to be crammed inside what is basically a slightly over-sized flat-panel monitor case, there is very little room left for adequate air flow or bulky cooling fans.

That means the machine’s work-horse components are usually under-powered when compared to regular desktop PCs that fall within the same general price range.

Bottom line: In my humble opinion, regular desktop computers are really better machines (and better deals) overall than their All-in-One counterparts.

I hope this helps, Wilma. Good luck!


 

Cick here to ask me a tech question.

 

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